Deputies donate earnings

Cleveland County deputies donate earnings to Second Chance Act Program.

By MEGHAN McCORMICK

Cleveland County Sheriff’s deputies who blocked traffic for the May Fair 5K run have donated their earnings to the Second Chance Act Program.

Capt. Charles Gregory and Lt. Michael Finley spearheaded the idea to give the funds to S-CAP. Deputies earned $400 for working at the event.

Sheriff Joe Lester presented the check to the S-CAP staff this week.

Lester introduced S-CAP in 2009. It is sponsored by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and funded through the Second Chance Act grant from the Bureau of Justice.

The program gives non-violent offenders a chance to re-acclimate into society. Women incarcerated at the Cleveland County Detention Center are eligible to participate.

The program provides housing and food needs along with employment and counseling services.

Rock Richardson, director of S-CAP, said it was a great honor to receive the donation.

“These kinds of donations goes toward assisting the women of Cleveland County who have committed a non-violent offense, usually their first arrest to get services that change their lives and the lives of their children and family,” Richardson said. “S-CAP has been successful in reducing rate of returning to jail from 70 percent to less than 10 percent.”

Lester said he was proud these deputies chose to give back to the community.

“I’m honored that this group of deputies decided to take their earnings and pay it forward to an organization that helps women become productive citizens,” Lester said.

Any questions regarding this press release and/or information can be addressed to Meghan McCormick, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, community liaison/public information officer. McCormick can be reached at (405) 701-8847.